Parotid saliva enzymes in Down's syndrome.

The parotid saliva in persons with Down's syndrome was analyzed for three enzymes: acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterase, and amylase. The results have shown a statistically significant elevation of esterase activity in persons with Down's syndrome whereas no statistical differences were observed with the other enzymes. The current investigation has provided further insight into salivary gland metabolism and may have yielded some information pertaining to the genetic control of the processes regulating the electrolyte concentration of human saliva.